Eastern Canadian Wolf
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The Eastern Canadian Wolf, Canis lycaon, is a newly recognized wolf species identified as early as 1970, but was not genetically confirmed until 1999. Many names were proposed, including the Eastern Wolf, Eastern Gray Wolf, and Algonquin Wolf, although Eastern Canadian Wolf has appeared to gain the most recognition. The other names are still recognized as synonyms.
Contents
Current news
Much of what we know about Eastern Canadian Wolves is currently being reviewed by many international and governmental organizations, as the discovery is recent and the factual knowledge base for this animal is currently in question.Physical attributes
The Eastern Canadian Wolf is smaller than the Gray Wolf. It has a pale greyish-brown pelt. The back and the sides are covered with long, black hairs. Behind the ears, there is a slight reddish colour. These differences in attributes are thought to be a result of their Red Wolf ancestry.Range
The Eastern Canadian Wolf mainly occupies the area around Algonquin Park in Canada. It is suspected that the species is also present in Minnesota, Manitoba, and Quebec. It is also suspected that the range used to stretch as far south as Florida, but as drought and other geographical barriers developed, the Eastern Canadian Wolf and the Red Wolf were separated and speciation occurred. Both species suffered heavy persecution since the arrival of Europeans, leading to eventual extinction in the United States. In Canada, exact numbers of Eastern Canadian Wolves are unknown.Diet
Natural prey for the Eastern Canadian Wolf includes deer, hares, mice, muskrats, and beavers. Prey changes seasonally for wolves. Their favourite prey are American Beavers in summer, and White-tailed Deer and caribou in the winter months.Canis lupus lycaon
Eastern Canadian Wolves should not be mistaken for the Eastern Timber Wolf, Canis lupus lycaon. The two species were originally thought to be the same wolf, but in 1999, Brad White of McMaster University and Paul Wilson of Trent University established scientifically through genetic testing and other data that Eastern Canadian wolves occupying the Algonquin Park region in Canada are actually a separate species more closely related to the Red Wolf. The scientific community is still in turmoil, as the information is disseminated and previous research is reviewed for clarity.See also
External links
- [The Wolves of Algonquin Park PHVA Final Report], PDF includes the final recommendation on how to proceed with the Eastern Canadian Wolf.
- [The Wolves of Algonquin Provincial Park ? A Report by the Algonquin Wolf Advisory Group] PDF
- [Status of the Eastern Wolf] A PDF document outlining genetic research concerning the Eastern Canadian Wolf.
- [The Comparative Toxicogenomics Database] which lists some of the Eastern Canadian Wolf's Genetic Information.
- [Wolves at the Door] Documenting the resurgence of wolves in North America.
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